Character Development

Backstory:

Alma was born on July 24, 1997, exactly one century after the birth of Amelia Earhart. She was brought into the world of 3 older sisters (Sofia, Valentina, and Isabella) and a loving, but over-protective, mother (Bonita). Even though Alma never knew her father, she likes to think he was someone important or revolutionary. To her mother’s dismay, Alma would always wear incredibly masculine clothing and was often mistaken as a boy in her younger years. She would often make friends with boys, usually outcasts but never troublemakers. These were deeply meaningful friendships, but her mother would not approve. It was not right for a little girl to be friends with boys at such a young age. Even so, Alma managed to keep her friendships strong, especially among her oldest friends from her 1^st grade class, Patrick and George.

Alma never felt a connection to her Mexican roots. She would often call her mother ‘Bonnie’ to annoy her. Her voice has a very slight accent, which she desperately attempts to hide. However, she is fluent in Spanish. She lived in a small house in a relatively nice cul-de-sac. She hated the location, finding it her neighbors to be two-faced and mildly xenophobic. Her family is the only family who isn't white. She also despised going to church with her mother and sisters. At first it was because she would have to get dressed up for the occasion, but soon she found the people there to be hypocrites, including her sisters. Alma can be a wonderfully peaceful and happy person, but she cannot stand dishonesty.

Her sister Isabella, the youngest of Alma’s 3 older sisters, became pregnant with her boyfriend’s baby at the age of 18 just before she graduated high school. By this time Alma was getting old enough that no one would mistake her for a boy. Bonita, Alma’s mom, became increasingly overprotective and forbid Alma from wearing masculine clothing, staying out late, and being friends with boys. Alma, feeling suffocated, had had enough and decided to run away from home. She had tried once before and failed, so this time she would go all the way. She took buses clear out of town until she found a place totally unfamiliar to her.

She has lived on the street for a couple of months now. And although she should be feeling homesick, she actually feels incredibly happy and independent. She manages to live by the skin of her teeth day to day, but she has made a handful of friends in several alleyways and neighborhoods. She despises going to homeless shelters and prefers to live on the streets or in abandoned buildings. She likes to live on her own terms and does not like rely on anyone but herself.

Attributes:

-Short tempered

-Scruffy

-Quiet

-Strong-tempered

-Clever

-Independent

-Unorthodox

-Crude

-Honest

-Bold

-Principled
-Tenacious

-Proud

-Self-Respecting

-Sarcastic

-Witty

-Grounded

-Tough

-Determined

-Reliable

-Skeptical

The Toll-Booth:

Alma was driving her sister’s car to a friend’s house. Her friend lived slightly out of town and, in order to get to his house, she would have to pay the toll. She usually keeps a couple of coins in a compartment in the car, so she didn't think to check before leaving the house. Just as she arrived at the toll booth, however, she found all of the coins missing. She cursed under her breath, thinking that her sisters or mother had used them for some ridiculous vanity item. Alma, already in a rush, rolls the window down and hits the top of the tollbooth. It doesn't budge. She puts the car in park and searches every inch of the car, hoping to find something. Anything.

Nothing.

At this point she would be furious. How could her family had used all of her coins? Then she realized that her mother must have removed them. She had forbid Alma from hanging out with her friends ever since Isabella got pregnant. Stupid mother. Stupid Isabella. Stupid stupid stupid!

Alma smacks the tollbooth in anger. Smacks it again and again. She begins to panic and feel embarrassed, figuring that she should probably just go back home. But that’s just what her mother wants. And she doesn't want to give her mother the satisfaction. Alma reverses the car and parks it on the side of the road. Getting out, Alma takes her hat off and stands on the side of the road. Cars drive by for half an hour or so before someone pulls over to ask her if everything is alright. She says that she would be willing to sell her hat, a mint condition collectible baseball hat, just for the amount of the toll. The stranger simply offers the money, but Alma doesn't want handouts. It takes much convincing on the stranger’s part before Alma does take the change without also selling the stranger her hat. Coins in hand, Alma drives through the toll, free of the restrictions her mother thought she had over her. Alma feels a sense of independence from this minor act of self-reliance. As she drives away from her home and to her friend’s house, Alma begins to consider the idea of running away from home.